Conducting Culturally Competent Intake Interviews With LGBTQ Youth

Solomon, David T.
Heck, Nicholas
Reed, Oakleigh M.
Smith, Daniel W.

Department of Psychology, Western Carolina University
Department of Psychology, Marquette University
Department of Psychology, University of Montana
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina

David T. Solomon, Department of Psychology, Western Carolina University, 91 Killian Building Lane, Room 302B, Cullowhee, NC 28723 [email protected]

Received June 5, 2017

revised September 1, 2017

Accepted September 29, 2017

Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity 4(4):p 403-411, December 2017. | DOI: 10.1037/sgd0000255

The intake process is integral to developing effective treatment plans and providing the foundation for a strong therapeutic relationship. This article provides practical guidance to clinicians conducting intake interviews with LGBTQ youth using multicultural competency framework. The knowledge section describes accurate and affirmative terminology, normative developmental experiences, and minority stress processes. Pulling from professional guidelines, the values section emphasizes the importance of cultivating and expressing LGBTQ-affirming attitudes, while also addressing therapist biases. Finally, the skills section covers practical techniques relevant to conducting a thorough assessment and navigating ethical concerns.